Last season, Texas A&M's secondary led the country in yards allowed per play. This year, the Aggies are playing catch-up to receivers downfield after the catch.
A&M's run defense has vastly improved from its 123rd ranking last season under second-year coordinator D.J. Durkin. That will come in hand against an Auburn offense predicated on utilizing the rushing attack of Jarquez Hunter and two mobile passers.
But the pass defense remains a lingering concern entering conference play. Jardin Gilbert, who started 12 games last season, is sidelined due to injury.
The next man up? Jacoby Mathews.
“(Mathews) missed some practices in camp but all of a sudden got back in a groove, he got a chance out there and he jumped out,” A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said this week during his weekly radio show. “He’s a great young man, and if we’re gonna be the team we need to be and can be, he’s gonna have to be a big part of this.”
Another member of the historic 2022 recruiting class, Mathews, has been a quality depth piece behind both Gilbert and Demani Richardson since arriving in College Station. A native of Ponchatoula, La., the 6-2 defensive back filled in against Louisiana-Monroe and played consistently enough in coverage.
Yes, it's the Warhawks. They haven't finished with a winning record since 2012. A&M was just joining the SEC, Fisher was still looking for his first national title at Florida State and Mathews was playing in Pop Warner Leagues on Saturdays.
At this point, A&M needs playmakers. Mathews is one. He's recorded at least three tackles per game and looked above-average in coverage. He's also a willing open-field tackler — although there were concerns two weeks ago with everyone's angle to the football against the Hurricanes.
Auburn (3-0, 0-0 SEC) still has questions surrounding its passing attack. Payton Thorne won the starting job after transferring this summer from Michigan State, but he's still learning to build chemistry with a cast of pass-catchers who joined the program in the offseason under Hugh Freeze.
Freeze, who last coached at Liberty, heavily spent his offseason targeting proven prospects via the transfer portal, including receivers Shane Hooks (Jackson State), Jyaire Shorter (North Texas) and tight end Rivaldo Fairweather (Florida International). Through three games, the Tigers rank 89th nationally in passing yards per game and 66th in passing touchdowns with five.
“He’s going to be wide open and aggressive on offense,” Fisher said of Freeze's offense. “He’s going to be dynamic and create things on special teams, and he’s not afraid to call a fake and not afraid to do (other) things."
Kickoff from Kyle Field is scheduled for 11 a.m.
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